Ed CoxNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Ed CoxTue, 06 Feb 2018 09:43:25 +0000Ed Coxhttp://wrvo.org
Karen DeWittThe bribery trial of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s former top aide, Joe Percoco, begins its third week in federal court Monday. Cuomo has not commented on the proceedings and has instead been busy focusing on other topics. In the first two weeks of the trial, questions have been raised about Percoco’s use of his state offices while he was off the government payroll for most of 2014 and managing Cuomo’s reelection campaign. According to testimony from FBI agents, Percoco frequented his former offices in New York City and Albany, including swiping his security card in and out on eight days in the month of May 2014 and making 837 phone calls from his former New York City office on 68 separate days. Percoco is not charged with any federal crimes in connection with his use of the government offices, but the practice violates state laws and codes of conduct set up by the state ethics commission. Cuomo has not addressed the alleged violation of state rules and gives a standard answer when asked aboutCuomo keeps his focus away from former aide's corruption trialhttp://wrvo.org/post/cuomo-keeps-his-focus-away-former-aides-corruption-trial
114290 as http://wrvo.orgMon, 05 Feb 2018 09:14:21 +0000Cuomo keeps his focus away from former aide's corruption trialKaren DeWittThe 2018 election season is beginning, but state Republicans are still trying to settle on a strong candidate to challenge Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has said he wants to seek a third term. Republican State Party Chair Ed Cox said the GOP will have a “good,” qualified and viable candidate. Cox denied a report in Politico New York that said Republicans are “in a panic” over the lack of a well-known challenger after millionaire businessman Harry Wilson decided against a race. The GOP chair spoke after spending Monday interviewing announced and potential candidates. Among them were Assembly Republican Minority Leader Brian Kolb, who has already announced his candidacy, and Senate Deputy Majority Leader John DeFrancisco, who has expressed an interest in a race. “Here at least we have two candidates who are well-known,” Cox said. “And either could serve as governor of the state.” Cox is less receptive to a run by former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra. Giambra has expressedGOP has short list of potential candidates for governorhttp://wrvo.org/post/gop-has-short-list-potential-candidates-governor
113256 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 11 Jan 2018 09:38:00 +0000GOP has short list of potential candidates for governorKaren DeWittRepublicans in the state of New York met for a planning session in Albany on Tuesday in advance of the 2018 campaigns, which will begin shortly. The party’s leader, Ed Cox, believes Republicans have a good chance at winning statewide offices against Gov. Andrew Cuomo and others next year. Republicans in New York face a daunting challenge in the race for governor next year. There are fewer GOP voters than ever, as the number of Republicans shrinks and Democratic ranks grow. President Donald Trump, the head of the Republican Party, is widely unpopular in New York. And the GOP does not have the funding currently to match the $25 million campaign war chest of Andrew Cuomo, who’s said he’ll likely seek a third term in office. Nevertheless, Cox believes Cuomo is vulnerable, despite the governor’s near-universal name recognition among voters. “It depends what the name means,” Cox said. “At the moment, I’m not sure it’s a plus for him, because of the way he has conducted himself as governor.”GOP chairman optimistic about 2018 governor's racehttp://wrvo.org/post/gop-chairman-optimistic-about-2018-governors-race
108472 as http://wrvo.orgWed, 20 Sep 2017 09:08:50 +0000GOP chairman optimistic about 2018 governor's raceKaren DeWittOne of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature economic development programs is being downsized in his new state budget. Start-Up NY is being rebranded as other economic development projects have suffered setbacks. The Start-Up NY program — which offered 10 years of freedom from income, business and other taxes to companies that sought to begin a business on a college campus — initially was a centerpiece of Cuomo’s big plans for more jobs in upstate New York. About $50 million was spent on advertising, a move criticized by the state comptroller, though Cuomo’s administration said at the time that the money was spent toward the larger goal of promoting the state’s business climate to the nation. But in the governor’s budget, Start-Up NY is rebranded as the Excelsior Business Program, and it is easier to participate, with companies required to create only one new job to get the tax breaks. Cuomo did not emphasize the changes in his budget presentation, but as recently as last summer, he wasCuomo's signature Start-Up NY plan is revisedhttp://wrvo.org/post/cuomos-signature-start-ny-plan-revised
98535 as http://wrvo.orgFri, 20 Jan 2017 09:51:00 +0000Cuomo's signature Start-Up NY plan is revisedEllen AbbottWhile many state lawmakers were not in attendance at Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s regional State of the State speeches, one person who is tagged along to all the six speeches, is state Republican Party Chair Ed Cox. Cox says he’s always gone to the State of the State speeches in the past. And even though he’s not allowed in the regional events that are taking the place of a State of the State in Albany this year, Cox is offering his opinion to reporters after speeches are over, this particular time in Syracuse. "I’m out here now presenting the fact that he’s going around on this I-love-Andrew road show because he’s afraid to face the legislature Albany," Cox said. Cox says right now there is tremendous friction between Cuomo and Republican, and some Democratic lawmakers, in the state Senate and Assembly. "Even the Democrats -- they’re rumored they were going to make demonstrations, maybe walk out on him if he had it," Cox said. "He doesn’t want to risk that, it would be a terrible black eye forCox: tremendous friction between Cuomo and legislaturehttp://wrvo.org/post/cox-tremendous-friction-between-cuomo-and-legislature
98220 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 12 Jan 2017 09:50:00 +0000Cox: tremendous friction between Cuomo and legislatureKaren DeWittWith less than three weeks before Election Day, Hillary Clinton is even further ahead of Donald Trump in New York state, and that could affect downballot races, including seats for the state Senate. Clinton is 24 points ahead of Trump, at 54 percent to 30 percent, a jump from when Siena College did a survey in September. Spokesman Steve Greenberg said the biggest change is independents moving over to the Democratic presidential candidate’s camp. A two-point lead among independents for Clinton has grown to a 17-point lead. The poll was conducted beginning last Thursday, after the controversy exploded over Trump’s alleged sexual harassment and assault of women. Trump supporters said earlier this year that the GOP candidate would compete in New York, but since the political conventions, Trump has made only one appearance in New York, to accept the state’s Conservative Party’s endorsement in Manhattan in early September. The increasingly lopsided race for president in New York may affectClinton's lead over Trump widens in New York statehttp://wrvo.org/post/clintons-lead-over-trump-widens-new-york-state
94999 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 20 Oct 2016 08:48:00 +0000Clinton's lead over Trump widens in New York stateKaren DeWittNew York state’s Republican Party chairman is talking up Donald Trump and predicted that the GOP presidential candidate will do well in New York state. Ed Cox said Trump has been looking presidential lately, appearing in Mexico alongside that country’s president, and visiting flood-ravaged Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Cox said Trump’s strength is that he’s a “self-made politician.” “And a genius of a politician, you have to admit,” Cox said. He said Trump’s get-out-the-vote campaign in New York will be a “grassroots effort” without a lot of money spent, and he anticipated that supporters will be excited to knock on doors. Cox said Trump has come this far without investing funds on campaign staff and TV ads. He predicted the candidate also will help down-ballot races in Congress and the state legislature, where the Republican Senate needs to keep and win seats to hold the majority. And he said Trump is popular in the bellwether Buffalo suburb of Cheektowaga. “As Cheektowaga goes, so goes theCox predicts Trump success in New Yorkhttp://wrvo.org/post/cox-predicts-trump-success-new-york
93344 as http://wrvo.orgWed, 07 Sep 2016 08:38:00 +0000Cox predicts Trump success in New YorkEllen AbbottRep. John Katko (R-Camillus) still hasn’t publicly endorsed Republican Donald Trump for president, and state party officials aren’t too happy about it. Katko is running for reelection in a congressional district that has changed parties for the last five election cycles, and has expressed concern over Trump’s tone and divisive rhetoric, saying Trump will have to earn his vote. New York State Republican Party Chair Ed Cox says he understands Katko’s reluctance. “Circumstances are different in Onondaga [County] than they are in a national election this and that. And that’s basically a discussion of policy issues, things like that. But the bottom line is, you’re a Republican, you endorse a Republican candidate.” Cox says he believes Katko will eventually endorse Trump. “I can understand on a local level, when you are representing your districts, you have differences, but the congressional candidates, should come out, and I think they will, endorse Donald Trump.” Katko’s opponent inState GOP chair to Katko: Time to endorse Donald Trumphttp://wrvo.org/post/state-gop-chair-katko-time-endorse-donald-trump
92146 as http://wrvo.orgTue, 09 Aug 2016 08:44:00 +0000State GOP chair to Katko: Time to endorse Donald TrumpEllen AbbottThe Republican Party has opened up a political headquarters for the Donald Trump presidential campaign in Syracuse. Elected officials, volunteers and Donald Trump fans crowded into an Erie Boulevard office space to get a pep talk from state Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox as the area’s Trump headquarters officially opened on Friday. "The momentum is on our side, the big mo. And by the way, what does that mean? Come November 8, we’re going to have a Republican President of the United States, Donald Trump,” Cox said. “And that’s what it’s all about.” These die-hard Trump supporters were energized, picking up lawn signs, making plans to man the phones, and taking pictures next to a life size cardboard cut-out of the Republican presidential standard bearer. Rosalie Vasser of North Syracuse is volunteering for a political candidate for the first time in her life, saying she’s behind Trump 200 percent. "I just think he’s passionate,” Vasser says. “He says so many things that I believe in.”Syracuse-area Trump headquarters officially openhttp://wrvo.org/post/syracuse-area-trump-headquarters-officially-open
92144 as http://wrvo.orgMon, 08 Aug 2016 18:06:14 +0000Syracuse-area Trump headquarters officially openKaren DeWittNew York’s delegates have high hopes for their nominee Donald Trump’s speech tonight, but some also want him to tone down some of his rhetoric and act more presidential. State GOP Chair Ed Cox said a “great acceptance speech” will help to unite the party and fire everyone up for November. He defined that as something more serious than the sometimes rambling addresses that are very popular at Trump rallies. “The acceptance speech is also about being head of state,” Cox said. “So you have to rise to a different level. And, this is the trick of the speech: You still want to refer to the things that got you there.” Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino also predicted that Trump will make the long-awaited pivot, and realize that he “needs to look directly into the camera” and make Americans feel “comfortable with a President Trump.” But Astorino said he’d also like to hear Trump walk back some of his more controversial statements. “Part of what I’d like to hear him say, is to admit thatNY delegates hope for a slightly different Trump in acceptance speechhttp://wrvo.org/post/ny-delegates-hope-slightly-different-trump-acceptance-speech
91304 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 21 Jul 2016 08:27:00 +0000NY delegates hope for a slightly different Trump in acceptance speechNew York NowCapitol Correspondent Karen DeWitt is reporting from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio this week. DeWitt, along with regular contributors to New York Now , will be bringing us podcasts from the road featuring members of each party. Today's "ConventionCast" is an interview with New York GOP Chairman Ed Cox. He speaks with DeWitt and Casey Seiler (of the Albany Times Union) about what Donald Trump needs to do at the national convention. Cox, the son-in-law of President Richard Nixon, also shares memories of his first convention during the turbulence of 1968, and discusses tactics to boost participation by minorities. Tune in for more next week from the Democratic National Convention.From the Republican National Convention: NYNow with Republican Chairman Ed Coxhttp://wrvo.org/post/republican-national-convention-nynow-republican-chairman-ed-cox
91182 as http://wrvo.orgMon, 18 Jul 2016 19:47:35 +0000From the Republican National Convention: NYNow with Republican Chairman Ed CoxKaren DeWittThe New York State Republican Party’s annual dinner Thursday evening will feature all three GOP presidential candidates, likely the only time they will all be together in one place before Tuesday’s primary. Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and John Kasich are all due at the event in New York City, though they will all be speaking separately, says Republican State Party Chair Ed Cox. Cox, who is remaining neutral in the race, says the intense focus on New York can only be good overall for party participation and voter turnout. “This is our New Hampshire moment,” said Cox, who said it’s the first time in the history of GOP presidential primaries that New York’s contest has been decisive. Cox is remaining neutral in the race, but he says if Trump does win enough delegates to be the nominee, he has the flexibility to hone his positions to be more palatable in a general election.NY GOP hosts all 3 presidential candidates at dinner Thursdayhttp://wrvo.org/post/ny-gop-hosts-all-3-presidential-candidates-dinner-thursday
87223 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 14 Apr 2016 08:19:00 +0000NY GOP hosts all 3 presidential candidates at dinner ThursdayPayne HorningNew York Republican Committee Chairman Ed Cox said because the campaigns in both the Republican and Democratic races are so close, New York could play a pivotal role. He calls it the state's New Hampshire moment. "It’s the first time in the history of the Republican presidential primaries in New York state that the primary really could make a crucial difference in who our nominee would be and who the next president of the United States would be," Cox said. But, the Republican primary is unique in New York for another reason this year. The state GOP's Committee voted last June to change who appoints the delegates won by presidential candidates in the primary. Instead of just letting the candidates choose a group of supportive New Yorkers, the state's 456 GOP Committee members will elect the delegates. Cox said this was done to ensure local Republicans who put in a lot of work for their local party are chosen, and not just friends or family of the candidates. "We changed that becauseNew York GOP Committee will elect its delegates for primaryhttp://wrvo.org/post/new-york-gop-committee-will-elect-its-delegates-primary
86871 as http://wrvo.orgFri, 08 Apr 2016 08:07:00 +0000New York GOP Committee will elect its delegates for primaryKaren DeWittRepublicans and Democrats in the New York state Senate both have victories to point to in last night’s election results. Following a landslide win, former Broome County Sheriff’s Deputy Fred Akshar became one of the two newest members of the State Senate. The Democratic candidate favored by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, former Broome County Executive and state Motor Vehicles Commissioner Barbara Fiala, trailed in the race by more than 50 points. Cuomo, after an initial endorsement, did not help Fiala with any significant money or workers for her campaign . New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox, said just Cuomo’s imprint on Fiala doomed her campaign. “This is huge,” Cox said. “This is against Cuomo’s handpicked candidate.” Cox said there is lingering resentment in the Southern Tier district over the governor’s decision to ban hydrofracking of natural gas, as well as stricter gun control laws and an overall sour economy. And, the GOP chairman said he sees tea leaves for political racesTuesday's election results a mixed bag for major partieshttp://wrvo.org/post/tuesdays-election-results-mixed-bag-major-parties
80221 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 05 Nov 2015 09:09:00 +0000Tuesday's election results a mixed bag for major partiesKaren DeWittNew York Republicans re-elected Ed Cox to a fourth term as their party’s chairman, while GOP members talked of strategies toward winning more seats in statewide races. Ed Cox, who is the son in law of former President Richard Nixon, was elected unanimously by party leaders, after a threatened challenge by Onondaga County Republican Chairman Tom Dadey failed to materialize. There have been tensions in the party between the more traditional northeastern Republicans like Cox, and leading state Senate Republicans, and the more right wing activist sector of the party, influenced by 2010 gubernatorial candidate and Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino . Cox says now, all Republicans in New York have to work together “if we are going to be successful as a minority party in New York state." The first task for the chairman is the special election for the open Senate seat in the Binghamton area, vacant because its former occupant, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Tom Libous , was convicted on felonyCox wins re-election as NY GOP chair, blasts Cuomo policies http://wrvo.org/post/cox-wins-re-election-ny-gop-chair-blasts-cuomo-policies
78210 as http://wrvo.orgTue, 22 Sep 2015 08:20:00 +0000Cox wins re-election as NY GOP chair, blasts Cuomo policies Ellen AbbottRepublican party leaders are bullish when it comes to New York state's congressional elections this November. Ed Cox, head of the state's Republican Party, expects this November’s mid-term elections will hold true to history, when gains are traditionally made by the party that’s not in power in the White House. "We could pick up four, maybe five seats in addition to the six we have," Cox said. "The six that we picked up in 2010 was a record itself, we picked up more than any other state in the United States. Adding another four would be very nice, and I think we could do that.” Cox believes the GOP has a chance to pick up those four seats in the House of Representatives in this off-year election, including the 21st Congressional District, which stretches across the North Country and has been left open by the retirement of Democrat Bill Owens. “We can win in the North Country, where Bill Owens - he was a great candidate - he would have been hard to beat," Cox said. "But he saw theNew York GOP has sights set on winning four key Congressional contestshttp://wrvo.org/post/new-york-gop-has-sights-set-winning-four-key-congressional-contests
52638 as http://wrvo.orgMon, 17 Mar 2014 10:19:43 +0000New York GOP has sights set on winning four key Congressional contestsKaren DeWittNow that this year’s elections are over, the political world is gearing up for the 2014 contests. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to seek another term, and so far no one has officially said they will run against him. Cuomo sounded like he was in campaign mode the day after Election Day, when he celebrated the passage of a casino gambling amendment that he pushed. “Are we fired up?” Cuomo asked a cheering crowd. Cuomo focused on an important issue for any candidate - economic development - which he says the new casinos will bring. “This is a huge, huge win for the state of New York,” Cuomo declared. It will be weeks before the governor makes an official announcement on any reelection plans. But already, the chair of the state’s Republican Party is criticizing Cuomo and his management style. GOP Chairman Ed Cox delivered a scathing speech in Buffalo, calling the governor a “risk averse, calculating politician,” who appoints too many commissions, then controls them behind the scenes. CoxNearing start of 2014 campaign season, Cuomo yet to have an announced opponenthttp://wrvo.org/post/nearing-start-2014-campaign-season-cuomo-yet-have-announced-opponent
47017 as http://wrvo.orgTue, 12 Nov 2013 13:02:49 +0000Nearing start of 2014 campaign season, Cuomo yet to have an announced opponentAimee HirschState Republican Chairman Ed Cox criticized Gov. Andrew Cuomo yesterday for delaying a decision on whether or not to allow hydrofracking in New York. Meanwhile, Cox is being criticized by Democrats because he is on the board of directors of the Texas-based natural gas drilling company Noble Energy and holds about $3 million in its stock. Cox said Cuomo continues to shift the responsibility when it comes to making decisions on controversial issues, such as hyrdofracking. Cox said he thinks Cuomo should have made a choice early in his governorship. "The governor, on issue after issue, avoids responsibility by appointing a task force, a commission, a committee or a team, and in this case it's his own health commissioner. And he says 'well it's really all the fault of the health commissioner. It's all up to him, he needs to complete his health study. And I'm not gonna talk to him. I want it all to be about science."' Currently Health Commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah is compiling a report on theCuomo criticized over fracking indecision by Republican leaderhttp://wrvo.org/post/cuomo-criticized-over-fracking-indecision-republican-leader
46835 as http://wrvo.orgThu, 07 Nov 2013 22:03:12 +0000Cuomo criticized over fracking indecision by Republican leaderKaren DeWittGov. Andrew Cuomo and his Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy, offered high praise for one another during an event at the Capitol Monday. Their remarks come as questions are raised about Duffy's political future. Some newspapers have called for an ethics probe after Duffy admitted he’s been interviewing for a job with the Rochester Business Alliance, a trade and lobby group, while serving on Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils. Duffy has now withdrawn from consideration for the job. He introduced Cuomo at a disaster preparedness forum. “I often get accused of being a cheerleader," said Duffy. “Well, I cheerlead out of pride for what this man has done for the state and out of support for what I see him do every single day.” Cuomo returned the plaudits. “He is the hardest working and most effective member of my administration,” said Cuomo. “You’ve seen him all over the state. Nobody works like the lieutenant governor.” Duffy, in an interview with the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, saidCuomo, Duffy have nothing but praise for each otherhttp://wrvo.org/post/cuomo-duffy-have-nothing-praise-each-other
46316 as http://wrvo.orgTue, 29 Oct 2013 11:55:15 +0000Cuomo, Duffy have nothing but praise for each otherKaren DeWittThe primaries are over and the general election in November is still weeks away, but already many in the political world are thinking about the next significant contest on the horizon -- the 2014 statewide elections. State GOP Chairman Ed Cox, in an interview with New York State Public Radio and Television, says he’s working to finding a Republican candidate to challenge Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and says several people are interested. Democrats outnumber Republicans in New York state by a two-to-one margin. The past three governors have been Democrats, and Cuomo, who has already said he wants to seek reelection, is very popular, even though he’s slipped a bit in the polls in recent months. The GOP hasn't picked a candidate to oppose Cuomo, but Cox is hopeful, though he says he can’t offer any names yet. “We do have candidates," Cox said. "Some who have served in public office before and are looking at this very seriously, and we also have some businessmen who have done very well in businessGOP leader says there's interest in challenging Cuomo in 2014http://wrvo.org/post/gop-leader-says-theres-interest-challenging-cuomo-2014
44207 as http://wrvo.orgMon, 16 Sep 2013 11:00:59 +0000GOP leader says there's interest in challenging Cuomo in 2014